Winged Pea Aphids Can Modify Phototaxis in Different Development Stages to Assist Their Host Distribution.

ABSTRACT: The pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), shows wing polyphenism (winged and wingless morphs) in its life cycle. The winged morph is adapted for dispersal; its two developmental adult stages (for dispersal and reproduction) are based on its breeding periods. The two morphs show different phototactic behavior and the winged can change its preference to light according to the developmental stages. To determine the mechanism and ecological functions of phototaxis for A. pisum, we first investigated the phototaxis of the two aphid morphs at different stages and analyzed the phototactic response to lights of different wavelengths; the correlation between alate fecundity and their phototactic behaviors were then studied. Finally, we focused on the possible functions of

SUBMITTER: Zhang Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4969297 | biostudies-literature | 2016

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature